Ham and cheese is a familiar combination, but wrapping it inside golden pizza dough makes it feel like something new. These mini ham and cheese calzones are perfectly sized for school lunches, after-school snacks, easy dinners and casual weekend meals. Prepared pizza dough keeps the recipe simple, while optional mustard adds a tangy note to the warm ham and melted cheese. This recipe makes four mini calzones that can be served warm from the oven or enjoyed at room temperature.
A Familiar Favorite in a New Form
Think of these homemade calzones as a more substantial version of a ham and cheese roll-up. The filling is simple enough for kids, but you can easily change the cheese or add mustard to suit different tastes. Prepared pizza dough does most of the work, making this an approachable recipe for busy days. It is also a convenient way to use leftover ham or small amounts of cheese already in the refrigerator.
Ingredients
Ham and Cheese Mini Calzone Ingredients:
- 1 ball frozen pizza dough, thawed, rested, as per package instructions
- 6-8 oz chopped ham
- 6-8 oz cheddar cheese or your favorite cheese, shredded
- flour for dusting
- optional: mustard
- optional: 1 beaten egg
How to Make Mini Ham and Cheese Calzones
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Lightly flour your work surface and divide the pizza dough into four equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a circle approximately 7 inches across. These will fold into four mini, individually portioned calzones.
- Divide the chopped ham and shredded cheese evenly among the four dough circles, placing the filling on one half of each circle. Leave a border around the edges so the calzones can be sealed.
- If desired, add a small dollop of mustard over the ham and cheese.
- Fold the unfilled half of each dough circle over the filling to create a half-moon shape.
- Press the edges together with a fork. Alternatively, tuck and fold the edges under, pinching firmly to seal the calzones.
- Transfer the calzones to the prepared baking sheet. If desired, brush the tops with beaten egg for a shinier, more golden crust.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the calzones are lightly golden brown.
- Let them cool slightly before serving warm or at room temperature.
Choosing Cheese for Your Calzones
Cheddar gives these ham and cheese calzones a familiar flavor and melts well, but it is far from the only option. Mozzarella creates a mild, stretchy filling, Swiss adds a nutty flavor and Monterey Jack melts into a particularly creamy center.
You can also combine cheeses. Pairing a sharper cheese with a mild melting cheese adds flavor without overwhelming the ham. Find more ideas for selecting and pairing varieties in Oryana’s Ultimate Guide to Cheese.
How to Keep the Filling Inside
A few small details can prevent cheese from escaping as the mini calzones bake:
- Keep the filling on one side of the dough and leave a clean border around the edge.
- Avoid overfilling the calzones, even when extra cheese is tempting.
- Press out excess air before sealing the dough.
- Pinch or crimp the edges firmly so they do not open in the oven.
- Let the calzones rest for a few minutes after baking. The cheese will be extremely hot straight from the oven.
Easy Ways to Change the Filling
The basic ham and cheese filling can be adjusted based on what you have available. Try adding a thin layer of mustard or combining two different cheeses. Finely chopped green onions, cooked broccoli or roasted peppers can bring more flavor and texture without changing the preparation method.
Keep additional ingredients modest so the mini calzones remain easy to fold and seal.
Mini Calzones for School Lunches
Bake the mini calzones ahead of time and allow them to cool before storing them in the refrigerator. Their individual size makes them easy to pack for school lunches or serve as an after-school snack. For younger children or smaller appetites, each mini calzone can be sliced in half after baking and cooling.
Keep Cookin’ with Oryana
Find pizza dough, ham, cheese and plenty of filling inspiration at Oryana. Looking for more practical recipes for lunches and busy weeknights? Subscribe to our newsletter and explore our calendar of classes to see what’s cooking at the co-op.
